Vote: Who is SBLive's Tampa Bay high school football midseason offensive player of the year?
We are now at the midway point of the 2023 regular season of high school football for most teams throughout the Sunshine State and we begin to roll out our midseason awards regionally.
Starting off the awards, we begin on offense over in the Tampa Bay area and ask the question: Who should be SBLive's offensive player of the year? I mean, halfway through there’s been plenty of star performers and our list is down below of the candidates.
Voting ends at 11:59 p.m., Friday, October 20th
Here are the nominations:
Jershaun Newton, QB, Clearwater Central Catholic: There might not be a dual-threat quarterback as lethal as Newton is on any given Friday night. Newton has completed 42-of-70 passes for 637 yards, four touchdowns and also rushed for 487 and eight scores.
Emarian Triplett, RB, Pinellas Park: Pounding the rock has been the goal every week for the Patriots and they get it done by the play of Triplett. The tailback has carried the ball 110 times for 655 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
Willy Suarez, WR, Jesuit: Suarez has done it all outside of throwing the ball for this Tigers’ offense. The wide receiver has hauled in 20 passes for 384 yards and four touchdowns. Also has ran the ball 14 times for 111 yards and four scores.
Rod Gainey, RB, Tampa Bay Tech: The Charlotte-bound running back is arguably the fastest back in all of Tampa Bay. Gainey through five games has rushed for 617 yards and scored seven touchdowns this season.
Girard Pringle, RB, Armwood: Pringle was a big reason for the Hawks’ hot start to the season. The junior running back has carried the ball 63 times for 559 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Jeff Jones, ATH, St. Petersburg: Jones has been electric any time he touches the ball. The quarterback has thrown for 389 yards and four touchdowns, but has done the bulk of his damage with his legs. Jones has rushed for 824 yards and scored 11 times.
Jacob Drackett, QB, Clearwater Calvary Christian: The Air Force commitment has played about as well as any player at the quarterback position in the Tampa Bay region. Drackett has thrown for 915 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Owen Beach, RB, Alonso: Not many running backs are playing at the level that Alonso’s Beach is. The tailback has carried the ball 87 times for 781 yards, seven touchdowns this fall. Oh, and all that has led to an undefeated record for the Ravens.
Antwan Raymond, RB, Clearwater Academy International: Not many knew who the Canadian transplant was when the season started, but they sure will when it’s over. Raymond has rushed for 585 yards and scored six touchdowns.
Brandon Royal, QB, Sickles: A lot of the offense for the Gryphons relies upon the right arm of Royal. The senior signal caller has completed 77-of-136 passes for 1,159 yards, 12 touchdowns and just two picks. Has also rushed for 174 yards and six touchdowns.
Jackson Jensen, QB, Wharton: The Wildcats throw the ball a lot more this season and Jensen has been up to the task. Jensen has completed 83-of-153 passes for 1,151 yards and 10 touchdowns to just two interceptions.
TJ Moore, WR, Tampa Catholic: Moore, a Clemson commitment, shows on a weekly basis why he’s one of the best in the state. The wide receiver has caught 18 passes for 462 yards and scored six touchdowns for the Crusaders.
Jayce Nixon, QB, Gaither: Nixon has been very efficient his junior season with the Cowboys’ offense. The southpaw has completed 75-of-122 passes for 1,036 yards, seven touchdowns and three interceptions. Also has rushed for 142 yards and two scores.
Bredell Richardson, WR, Carrollwood Day: The stats put up by Richardson have been through just a three-game span. Richardson has caught 24 passes for 434 yards and three touchdowns for the undefeated Patriots.
Nathan Richardson, QB, Spoto: Though the Spartans have yet to win a game yet, there’s no denying the kind of offensive season Richardson has had. The quarterback has thrown for 1,004 yards and 10 touchdowns through four games.
Greg Smith, QB, Sumner: Smith has been one of the most valuable players to his team on both sides of the ball. The quarterback has completed 32-of-55 passes for 626 yards, 13 touchdowns to just three picks. Has also rushed for 187 yards and four scores.
Chris Denson, QB, Plant City: The dual-threat quarterback has played well for the Raiders in leading them to a 3-2 record. Denson has completed 54-of-92 passes for 881 yards, nine touchdowns through the air. On the ground, Denson has rushed for 362 yards and a score.
-- Andy Villamarzo | villamarzo@scorebooklive.com | @sblivefl
